Kerri BridgmanFor a long time, I thought the system that would save me was the one that made everything perfect: every spreadsheet, every email, every workout, every text message, every little detail. I spent so much time trying to perfect things before they ever saw the light of day that I missed the most important part of what makes a system work: progress.
Eventually, I learned that done really is better than perfect….in every area except one.
The only place I still demand perfection is in factory communication.
Because when you’re producing anything — garments, accessories, footwear, packaging, whatever it may be — clarity isn’t a luxury. It’s survival. The way you communicate with your factory determines everything that follows: the quality of your samples, your production timeline, your costs, and your sanity.
I make sure that my communication is clear, structured, and easy to follow for everyone involved. To do that, I start with one simple step: we make sure we understand each other.
That means defining terms, confirming expectations, and agreeing on what “done” actually looks like — before production, or sampling for that matter, begins.
Because if this part isn’t perfect, everything else starts to fall apart.
Whether you’re a designer just getting started or an operations manager juggling multiple factories, remember this: the goal isn’t to build a “perfect” system. The goal is to build a system that supports clarity, one that keeps everyone aligned, confident, and capable of moving forward.
And sometimes, that means letting go of perfection everywhere else so that what really matters can stay strong.
If you’re a designer or production manager who’s ever felt lost in translation with your factory — you’re not alone.
This Saturday, I’m hosting a free open Q&A on Luma where we’ll talk about how to communicate clearly, avoid production delays, and set up systems that actually support your creative flow.
🧵 Join the conversation:
Ask a Production Manager: Behind the Scenes of Fashion Operations · Zoom · Luma
Bring your questions — or just listen in. Either way, you’ll leave with clarity and confidence for your next sample or production round.